Kearney keeps eyes on main prize

Rob Kearney might not have felt like putting his best foot forward today as the Lions continued to prepare for Saturday’s all-important first Test against Australia but he is experienced enough to know that after this midweek defeat by the Brumbies, it is essential for the main mission of the tour.

The Leinster and Ireland full-back, a tourist in 2009 to South Africa, will not have liked being part of the side that went down 14-12 in Canberra, the first defeat by a provincial side since the 1997 loss to Northern Transvaal.

But he will have emphasised the feeling among yesterday’s matchday squad that for the good of the tour, those involved must quickly draw a line under the defeat and focus solely of keeping morale up for the big games to come and not letting their disappointment spread across the squad.